Tile Buyer’s Checklist

Tile is one of the most durable and natural choices for flooring. And because of the vast array of shapes and designs, you can easily create a custom look for your home.

Choosing tile flooring for your home is a major decision. Actually, it’s a series of several decisions. There are so many aspects to consider, the task can be daunting. Although not exhaustive, this checklist will walk you step by step through the main considerations that will ultimately help lead you to the perfect tile flooring for your home.

Your home

When choosing flooring, discuss the following considerations with one of our specialists so he or she can help steer you to the best product for your particular home.

Consider who spends time in your home. Don’t forget to include visitors and pets. Tile can last for decades, so consider future children or pets as well.

Taking into account your household and the daily use of your floors, rank the importance of your tile’s scratch resistance, stain resistance and durability.

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

Familiarize yourself with the different types of tile and identify which product is best suited for your project. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles can be used on floors, walls and countertops. Stone and glass be used as accents on walls.

Familiarize yourself with the different tile formats and patterns. Tiles come in all sizes from fractions of an inch to slabs of 16 square feet or more. Different sizes can be combined to create an endless array of patterns, borders and medallions.

Identify your decorating style and gather samples of existing paint, fabrics and adjacent flooring. Also take photos of existing furniture and cabinets.

Consider the different categories of tile designs and choose your favorite look. Wood, stone, concrete, slate and even textile visuals are currently popular.

Determine what type of underlayment, adhesive and grout you might need for your tile. Underlayments can help even out your subfloor and prevent cracks. Quality adhesive and grout can also affect the success of your tile floor.

SHOP SMART

Measure your space to estimate your square footage. Multiply length times width of each room to equal square footage. To account for waste, add 10% to the total (multiply by 1.10) for a good working estimate.

Consider the type of shopping experience you want and then look for a retailer near you. Many stores sell flooring, but independent retailers are flooring experts with an emphasis on customer service.

Before you purchase, read all warranty information carefully to fully understand any requirements.

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

Talk to one of our installation technicians. Quality installation can affect the longevity of your carpet, and many warranties require professional installation.

Prepare your home for installation. Move everything out of the room(s) and clear a generous path to the room(s), removing all breakables. Ensure subfloors are properly supported, level, clean and free of debris.

Read the manufacturer’s literature to learn about proper care and maintenance for your new tile.